Zuo Teng never dreamed that his murder plot would be exposed before he could even carry it out. He had not even managed to wait until nightfall before someone came knocking at his door.
When Xi Qingyue arrived at his courtyard with Xi Weilan in her arms and a group of people behind her, Zuo Teng was utterly stunned. His eyes were filled with disbelief.
And when he saw the furious townspeople behind Xi Qingyue, he was even more terrified. This was completely different from what he had expected. More importantly, why had no one warned him beforehand?
Xi Qingyue grinned at him, then turned to the townspeople and said, “Go ahead. Let everyone avenge their own grievances. When you’re done, put the bodies on display outside the government office.”
With that, she carried Xi Weilan to the side, clearing the way for the townspeople.
Zuo Teng did not even have time to speak before the crowd swarmed him. The guards in his courtyard were held back by the yamen runners, and all they could do was stare wide-eyed as their master was beaten to death.
Xi Qingyue watched the scene with a cold smile. Since they had planned to send people to kill her that night, she would make sure none of them lived until then.
Besides, none of the people in the rear courtyard were innocent. It was better to let the victims settle their own scores.
She put Xi Weilan down and took her hand as they walked into the rooms. Using her ability, Xi Qingyue already knew which rooms contained valuable items.
The moment Xi Weilan entered a room, she began running around excitedly. Pointing at a screen, she looked happily at Xi Qingyue. “Big Sister, this one.”
Xi Qingyue smiled, and with a thought, the screen disappeared.
“Big Sister, this table is pretty too.”
“Big Sister, this flower pot is beautiful as well. It must be worth quite a lot of silver.”
…
Xi Weilan happily ran from place to place. Whenever she pointed at something, Xi Qingyue collected it. The two of them were like two industrious little bees buzzing around everywhere.
Aside from the sisters, no one else entered the rooms. Before long, they had collected everything inside.
Outside, after Zuo Teng was beaten to death, the townspeople went to the other courtyards in search of more people. They did not kill indiscriminately. Instead, they specifically sought out those who had caused the deaths of their loved ones.
Whether they were the county magistrate’s wives and concubines, his children, or his guards, servants, and maids, anyone who had played a part in separating them from their families was shown no mercy.
The entire rear courtyard of the county yamen was swept clean. This was also the confidence Xi Qingyue had given them.
After killing the guilty parties, the townspeople carried the bodies to the entrance of the government office. They even voluntarily cleaned the courtyards so that Xi Qingyue and Xi Weilan could move in.
Xi Qingyue had tables and chairs brought out and sat there distributing silver. She gave each victim some compensation, though only within a reasonable amount. She did not want to give them too much and inadvertently bring trouble upon them.
“Commandery Princess, we were able to personally avenge our loved ones only because you helped us. How could we accept your silver as well?” an elderly man said, tears streaming down his face. He meant every word.
The other townspeople nodded in agreement. In the past, they had never even dared to dream of obtaining justice, let alone personally killing the people who had harmed their children. How could they ask for silver on top of that?
Xi Qingyue gave a soft laugh. “Take it. This is the compensation you deserve.”
She did like silver, but she was not stingy to this extent. These people had been driven to ruin by the county magistrate’s family. Giving them some silver was only right.
One by one, the townspeople wiped away their tears, overwhelmed with gratitude. For a moment, they did not know how to repay the sisters. Someone finally asked what the sisters needed most.
Xi Weilan tilted her head back and asked, “Can you make delicious food? You could make some for us. We’ll pay for it.”
Seeing how serious she looked, everyone nodded repeatedly and decided to prepare plenty of food and send it over as soon as they returned home.
Xi Qingyue suddenly added, “You can make food for us, but you must accept payment. We don’t eat for free.”
A woman nodded through her tears. “Of course, Commandery Princess. You can rest assured that my cooking is excellent. I’ll make sure every coin you spend is worth it.”
The others understood that Xi Qingyue did not wish to accept anything for free, and their gratitude toward her deepened even further.
Xi Qingyue selected several women and gave them some silver, telling them to prepare whatever food they wished and send it over. Only then did everyone disperse.
She dismissed all the servants in the county yamen. With the county magistrate dead, there was no reason for those people to remain. The more obedient ones were given the wages they were owed and sent away. As for those who had committed evil deeds, they had already gone underground to reunite with the county magistrate.
As a result, apart from the yamen runners, the chief clerk, and a few others, only the sisters remained in the county office.
After giving the yamen runners a few instructions, Xi Qingyue left with Xi Weilan. They still had to go eat at the Liu Family Food Shop.
By the time they arrived, the dishes were nearly ready. Liu Bingchun had ordered a table piled high with food, and there were no other customers in the shop.
“Commandery Princess, the food is ready. Please enjoy!” Liu Bingchun said with a sincere smile.
Xi Qingyue nodded with a smile and sat down with Xi Weilan. They were genuinely hungry.
Xi Weilan picked up her bowl and took a large sip of soup, her face filled with contentment. Xi Qingyue also picked up her chopsticks and began helping herself to the dishes. The sisters ate with great delight.
Watching them enjoy the food, Liu Bingchun felt happy as well. These were his life-saving benefactors, after all.
When they finished eating, Xi Qingyue tried to pay, but Liu Bingchun refused no matter what. He insisted that cooking for his benefactors was only right, and accepting money would be ungrateful.
Xi Qingyue did not press the matter. She simply did not like owing others favors, but they could accept the cost of one meal.
She took out a banknote and held it out to him, her expression solemn. “This isn’t payment for tonight’s meal. Starting tomorrow, prepare one hundred servings of every dish for us until we leave. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone deliver containers for the food. Once everything is ready, send it directly to the county yamen.”
With that, she placed the banknote in Liu Bingchun’s hand. “If you refuse to accept it, we’ll go somewhere else.”
Liu Bingchun hurriedly nodded. “Yes, Commandery Princess. Leave this to me. I promise I’ll satisfy you.”
Xi Qingyue then left the shop with Xi Weilan.
Over the next few days, the sisters either wandered through the streets eating and drinking or handled the people’s grievances at the county yamen. They dealt only with serious matters and ignored trivial disputes.
Gradually, everyone in Yongfu City became familiar with them. They also learned that the sisters were both devoted food lovers.
Whenever the two appeared on the streets, the townspeople greeted them enthusiastically. Some families who were particularly skilled at cooking even boldly invited them over for meals.
Xi Qingyue never refused. She would take Xi Weilan along to eat with them, but they never ate for free. Before leaving, they always left payment behind.
Not only did they have the Liu Family Food Shop prepare food for them, but they also ordered dishes from other places they found delicious. Whenever the proprietors of various restaurants saw them enter, their faces lit up with delight. Every one of them hoped the sisters would order plenty of food.
When Lu Jinshuang and the others arrived in Yongfu City, they discovered that Xi Qingyue and Xi Weilan had become famous figures known throughout the city.
As they walked along the streets, they repeatedly heard people mention the sisters and their deeds. Of course, everyone referred to them by their title as Commandery Princesses, and their voices were always filled with gratitude.
Lu Jinshuang could not help sighing. “Good heavens, Yue and her sister really do bring excitement wherever they go!”
